For the past couple of weeks, I have seen my rabbits run in circles in their hutch. It looks like they are trying to catch each other\'s tail. What does this mean? This is something new for them and it usually happens when I go to feed them.
Hee Hee. Sounds pretty cute to me. Maybe they are just excited?
You might be right! I have been making a point to give them a slice of carrot or apple every time I see them in their hutch. I never give them treats outside of their hutch anymore. Now, when they are playing in their yard, they will run to their hutch and jump inside on command, and beg for their food! I can\'t believe how well trained they have become! The only down side is that I have had to cut back on their pellet because they were putting on weight with all the rewards.
Aaah I see. I must admit Petey\'s interest in pellets have waned because of our treats as well. Its hard not to give them though.... he\'s pretty persuasive.
Your rabbits listen \"on command\"???? How does one do this? I tell Petey \"in your cage\", and he never listens. I tell Petey \"off the bed Petey\" and he doesn\'t listen. Any tips would be appreciated.
I don\'t know if this is considered \"trained\" but get this. Every night when we tuck our daughter in for bed and turn the night light on, as soon as Petey hears the \"click\" of the night light, he darts under the bed and hides because he knows he has to go in his cage. It then becomes a chasing game to get him in the cage. I actually think he likes it
They learn quickly don\'t they?
I\'m not so sure it is an \"on command\" thing as it is an on schedule thing. I try to do the same thing at the same time every day, so they know what is comming.
You could save some of his daily greens for bed time, so once you catch him and put him in his cage, his reward will be waiting for him. If he acts the way my rabbits do, pretty soon he will run for his cage when he hears the click.
There is such a thing as clicker training for rabbits. Check this out:
http://www.clickertraining.com/training/...=3&print=1
Wow. I had no idea they could be so \"trainable\". But they are smart, so it stands to reason. I do offer a little treat at bedtime so maybe I will alter the timing so that he can hear the nightlight click and get the goody! Interesting.
You know, I always feel like I give too many \"bite size\" treats, but that article sure sounds like those bunnies being trained get gobs! Maybe I don\'t feel so guilty anymore .. hee hee
If that doesn\'t work, you could put Petey on a feeding schedule, if he isn\'t already on one. Feed him his greens twice a day, with his second feeding at the same time as when your daughter goes to bed. You could give him both of his meals in his cage, so he associates his cage with his dinner. Then, when your daughter goes to bed, he should go into his cage to look for his meal. My guess is that it might take about two weeks for Petey to catch on, but you would need to be feed him at the same time every night.